Thousands of golf fans are expected to take a trip to the Wakonda Club for the Principal Charity Classic this week.

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Updated: 5:16 PM CDT Jun 7, 2017

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WEBVTT KEEP GOLFERS, SPECTATORS, ANDALL THE VOLUNTEERS SAFE IN THERECORD HEAT.THIS ISN'T THE ONLY THING THATWILL BE SIZZLING HERE.>> THIS IS LIKE STATE FAIRWEATHER THIS WEEKEND.>> WE'RE A COUPLE OF MONTHSAHEAD. CYNTHIA: MORE THAN 110,000PEOPLE WILL BE IN TOWN FOR ANUMBER OF OUTDOOR EVENTS INEXCRUCIATING HEAT.>> HOPEFULLY THERE WILL BE ABREEZE.THAT CERTAINLY HELPS.CYNTHIA: AT WAKONDA, THEY'RELOADING UP ON ICE AND WATER,SETTING UP HYDRATION STATIONSWHERE FANS CAN FILL UP THEIR OWNBOTTLES YOU'LL NOW BE ALLOWED TOBRING IN.>> WERE KIND OF LOOKING AT SOMEDIFFERENT THINGS, LIKE SOMEMISTERS TO CREATE COOL ZONES, TOSET UP PLACES THEY CAN COOL OFF.CYNTHIA: THEY'RE ALSO LOADING UPON BEER, SAID TO BE REFRESHING,BUT REMEMBER, ALCOHOL ISDEHYDRATING.IF YOU HAVE A DRINK, FOLLOW ITWITH WATER.>> WHETHER IT'S DIZZINESS,A LEVEL OF MENTAL CONSCIOUSNESSWHERE YOU'RE ACTING SILLY.IF SOMEONE IS LOSING HERBALANCE, TALKING ABOUT CRAMPING,NAUSEA, CONFUSION, YOU MIGHTHAVE TO STEP IN TO ASSIST.CYNTHIA: EMS CREWS ARE STANDINGBY WITH THEIR OWN GOLF CART ANDSTRETCHER IN CASE OF HEATEXHAUSTION OR HEAT STROKE, WHICHCAN BE DEADLY.>> DRINK LOTS OF WATER, SIT DOWNWHENEVER YOU CAN.ONE THING ABOUT THE COURSES THATIT'S NOT THAT SPREAD OUT.CYNTHIA: IT'S A HILLY COURSE BUTCARTS WILL ALSO SHUTTLE PEOPLEUP AND DOWN THE HILLS, AND LOTSOF TREES PROVIDE SHADE.

Hydration key as Principal Charity Classic clashes with record heat

Thousands of golf fans are expected to take a trip to the Wakonda Club for the Principal Charity Classic this week.

Thousands of golf fans are expected to take a trip to the Wakonda Club for the Principal Charity Classic this week.

Tournament leaders met Wednesday to discuss a hydration plan to keep spectators, golfers and volunteers safe in the record heat.

“Fortunately a breeze, so that helps,” tournament director Greg Conrad said. “We’ve got a Mother Nature fan, so to speak.”

At Wakonda, crews are loading up on ice and water and setting up hydration stations where fans can fill up their own water bottles.

“We're kind of looking into some different things like some misters and different things to try and create some cool zones around the golf course and just places they can cool off around the golf course,” Conrad said.

Fans who plan on enjoying alcohol beverages at the tournament are advised to follow each drink with water to stay hydrated.

“Whether it's dizziness, a level of mental consciousness or you’re acting silly if you’re watching somebody, and they’re losing their balance, or they’re talking about cramping, nausea, confusion, you might have to step in to assist them,” said Brian O'Keefe, with the Des Moines Fire Department.

EMS crews are standing by with their own golf cart and stretcher in case of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, which can be deadly.

“Drink lots of water and sit down when you can,” Principal Charity Classic volunteer Doug Shull said. “One thing about the course (is) it’s not spread out. You can get to a lot of places without walking a lot.”

Carts will also be available to shuttle visitors up and down the hills.

"I know that Iowans know how to take care of themselves, so they'll be just fine," Shull said.